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Empowering women and families in cyclingMon, 09 Mar 2015 19:32:46 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1The Power of Peoplehttp://bikeshopgirl.com/2015/01/the-power-of-people/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2015/01/the-power-of-people/#commentsTue, 20 Jan 2015 15:59:15 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=14377Megan Archer is a mid-30’s amateur cyclocross racer. Giving everything to the passion of sport, and for the power of the people.

When I sat down to write this blog post, I had originally planned to recap both of my races at ‘cross nationals. Due to the overwhelming love and support from the cycling community in the last few days, that original plan has been sidelined. Now, I am writing to celebrate the power of people.

A Little Background About Me

I started riding bikes consistently in 2012. My brother built up a Surly Crosscheck out of extra parts he had lying around the garage, and I began riding on the road that summer. I had one mismatched kit, mountain bike shoes, and a loaner helmet. I had been an athlete all my life, participating in traditional sports, but nothing would prepare me for the pain I experienced that first summer on a bicycle. It wasn’t easy.

Cyclocross immediately caught my eye, as I figured it would be the only cycling discipline I could be competitive in so early in my cycling ‘career’. Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready physically, and had no clue how my first race would break me down mentally. “This is really hard”. In spite of my disappointing first impression, there was something about ‘cross that appealed to me. I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

My first season was spent clutching to the back of the race for dear life. I had zero fitness. I didn’t know how to start a race without blowing up, and I had no style or grace in any of the technical sections. My barrier skills were the most haunting, and I frequently crashed myself trying to leap over them like the pros. There was nothing pro about my skill set. Still, I found myself walking towards the light. Cyclocross continued to pull me in, and the spectators always made me feel important.

I was living a double life in the ‘cross scene. I would get up early, pin on my number, and suffer for 30 minutes off the back of every cat 4 race. By lunch time, I had my butterfly wings on, heckling everyone with my megaphone. I was an amateur bike racer, not even mediocre at the time, but I had found my calling as a super fan girl. I was actually better at being a super fan girl, and it allowed me to connect with some really awesome people.

2013 Cyclocross World Championship

It’s no secret I’m a very outgoing person. Those who’ve met me can attest to that. I met a lot of people that first season, many of which are now close friends. I was attracted to the family atmosphere of the ‘cross scene, and the people I ran across were attracted to my passion for life. It was a good match, and it motivated me to push harder.

2013 Cyclocross Nationals (Photo courtesy of Gary Geiger)

I still had a lot of soul searching to do, and I wasn’t satisfied with where I was as a racer. I found myself dangling between racing and fan girl’ing, and struggling to make any major gains in my ability as a cyclist. I started getting approached by people wanting to help me. As someone who never asked for help, it was a tough pill to swallow, but I gave in and accepted the offers. I started a training plan that next summer.

I spent the spring of 2013 racing crits, and getting my ass handed to me every weekend. I still had a lot to learn, and crit racing was a completely different animal. I started to see fitness gains, and my equipment slowly got better with time. I now had a legitimate road bike and proper shoes. I had joined the Cycle-Smart Grassroots Team, and acquired more cycling clothing kits, even though they were hand-me-downs from someone’s previous season. I didn’t feel like a bike racer yet, but I definitely started to look like one.

I trained harder that summer, and I learned tactics and tips of the trade. I learned how to eat for the bike. I learned how to sleep for the bike. The biggest lesson I learned that summer was HOW TO SUFFER ON THE BIKE. I was in a weird place in my life, and cycling sometimes took a backseat, but I did the best I could. I accepted a lot of help from a lot of kind-hearted people, and my equipment continued to improve. I developed a deeper understanding of why people put themselves in such miserable conditions—the ‘hurt locker’ if you will. Bike racing became the medium for my feelings and emotions, and I embraced it with open arms.

The 2013-14 cyclocross season was much more successful for me. I won a few races early on, and eventually had to move up to the 3s. I learned very quickly just how competitive ‘cross could be once I landed in the pro 1/2/3 category, and I found myself starting from the bottom again. The outpouring amount of support was overwhelming at times, and still difficult to accept, as I didn’t have the means to return the favors. I found it interesting that people wanted to help a 30+ amateur bike racer, but I went with it anyway. I had a new (to me) ‘cross bike that season, and things started coming together, even though I was last in just about every race I entered.

Hard work paying off

The road season was short-lived. I had an unfortunate incident with my income, and racing wasn’t even an afterthought. Life was pretty rough for me that spring, but my friends and family kept cheering me on. I received word that a friend of mine had registered me for the last few races of USA Crits Speek Week, and I had a difficult time wrapping my head around it. “Listen, I’m doing really well now, and I want to see your hard work put to use. A lot of people helped me out when I was racing, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them. You’ve worked your ass off and you deserve a chance to showcase it.”

I took the offer, and landed on the podium with a solid 3rd place finish at Gaffney– a perfect end to a not-so-perfect spring season. I spent the summer training for what would be the best season of my short-lived cycling ‘career’.

2014 USA Crits Women’s 3/4 podium in Gaffney, South Carolina.

This past August was record-breaking for me. I rode 50+ hours and climbed over 53,000 feet. I finally felt like I might accomplish something big, and made my plan a reality with a great result in Providence.

I went over the bars while bunny-hopping logs in the first NCCX race, and nearly knocked myself out. My helmet was ruined, and my head was a close second. I took the next month off racing to recover physically and mentally. I had doubts that racing was an option for me, and I took a pretty big hit financially, so I was ready to hang up racing for good. My friends didn’t let that happen, though. For whatever reason, everyone wanted to see me on that bike, and I would be lying if I said I didn’t want the same.

At the NCCX Charlotte race, I came back with a vengeance, the muddiest and “crossiest” of the year. I proved to myself how much I deserved to be out there, and had the best ‘cross result of the past 2 seasons. I was also in the best head space I had ever been in, and I felt like year 34 would be the biggest one yet. I had some decisions to make, and goals to achieve, so I sold my powder skis in order to register for the 2015 Cyclocross Nationals– something I had hoped to accomplish in 2014, but didn’t have the means financially or logistically.

I pinched pennies and sold my remaining ski patrol gear. I watched what I put into my body, and made sure I got in bed early every night. I treated myself like a professional racer, because I didn’t want to ruin all the sacrifices I had made to get to Austin. I received some amazing support, both morally and financially from sponsors and friends. I hugged, thanked, cried and loved all those people willing to help me for little to nothing. I still couldn’t believe anyone would be willing to help out an amateur bike racer in her mid-thirties.

Nationals. Wow. There’s nothing I regret from either of my two races. I placed in the top 36% of the non-championship race, well beyond my expectations, and had a solid ride in the master’s 35-39 race on Friday. I left everything on the course. I didn’t need to prove anything, but I wanted to show all those people who supported me that their offerings didn’t go to waste. “Hey guys. Thanks for all you did to help me get here. Now I’m gonna turn myself inside out for you.”

I closed my ‘cross season with a fundraiser to benefit Trips For Kids of WNC. What had originally started as a plan to get my friends together for an end of season party, quickly turned into a last-minute fundraiser with very few expectations. I rallied bike shop owners, local businesses, and the North Carolina ‘cross community for all the help they could give. I solicited donations, put up flyers, and promoted like it was my job. I spent a lot of time worrying if it would even be successful, but I kept pressing forward because that’s what bike racers do, right?

I got home from Austin approximately 36 hours before my fundraiser doors opened, and scurried around to tie up loose ends.

We raised $1000 in 3 hours of selling raffle tickets. I finally had a chance to pay it forward.

I don’t have much, but I have this, and it’s yours.

I’ve learned a lot in the past 3 years. Bike racing has given me a second chance. Cycling has opened doors for me that I never thought were possible. Bikes have given me the best friends anyone could ask for. Riding has forced me to discover things I never knew about myself. The cycling community, specifically the ‘cross community, has given me more joy than a person deserves.

Hanging out in “The Danger Zone” with New England’s finest.

Thank you guys for believing in me. Thanks to those who’ve given me the means to race bikes. Thanks to those of you who donated time, money, and gear to my fundraiser. A BIG thanks to my brother, Brian, for building my first bike. I wish I had enough paper to thank all those people who’ve paved the way for my passion. I don’t think there are enough trees on this planet for that.

This past weekend I lined up for my first mountain bike race in over a year.

There were reasons I hadn’t lined up in so many months. Injury, work, life and countless things that didn’t seem to matter once I zip tied that number to my bar. Why was I doing such a thing? Knowing I didn’t have the legs, or even the lungs, to be competing with those strong ladies that towed the line with me. Why? Because it was the Beti Bike Bash, an all women’s mountain bike event put on by my favorite ladies – the Yeti Betis. It would have been a larger regret to sit on the sidelines on a day like that than to come in dead last, which thankfully I did not do.

The Event

Please take me seriously when I say this, because I don’t throw this praise around very often… If you are a cyclist of any kind (road, cross, hybrid, etc.) you will want to see or experience an amazing event as the Beti Bike Bash.

Not only is the event well run, but the energy around it isn’t anything I experienced before, and I have done a lot of bike events! Picture hundreds of women, of all ages and sizes, from 4 year olds to 60 year olds. First time mountain bikers, Olympians and everything in between. Now, picture everyone that loves them there supporting and cheering for them and you.

My Race

I lined up with the experts knowing that the few weeks I’ve had back on the bike wouldn’t be enough to hang, but I tried and tried. The course was fast and not technical at all with roughly 15 minute laps for around 4 miles of trail . It was also hot, my Garmin recorded low 90’s since the Pro/Expert race went off at the peak of the day.

The crowd was amazing, and I don’t regret towing the line with the experts. I ended up somewhere towards the end, but not last (very important detail.)

I can’t thank the Yeti Betis and my loved ones enough for supporting me to sign up for a race so soon after getting back on the bike. I survived and this event will be a MUST ever year going forward.

Check out more at Beti Bike Bash and make sure to put it in your calendar for 2015.

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2014/06/2014-beti-bike-bash-recap/feed/0A Cyclocross Race for Last Placehttp://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/09/a-cyclocross-race-for-last-place/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/09/a-cyclocross-race-for-last-place/#commentsTue, 10 Sep 2013 23:23:42 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=12249When someone asks how your race went, traditionally you want to tell them your place 1st or 5th out of 10, something to that tune. When you are in last place you want to list out all the other positives of the race, this was my race this past Sunday. My first race of any discipline in Colorado, my first cyclocross race of the season, and my first race as a Category 3.

Sure, I’m looking at most of this early season’s racing as practice and learning, but it was still a pretty brutal showing on my part.

The Course at Cross of the North

I strongly believe that my carbon 29er hardtail would be been better suited for tearing up the 95% sand course that made up the Cross of the North. Up and down you went, a lot of sweeping turns that let me learn with 4 laps of racing practice, how to turn in sand (you don’t “turn”) and how to gracefully place your front wheel to force you to tumble off the bike.

I’m sure with the proper training in my legs the sand would have been easier to spin through and the necessary dismounts on two sandy hairpins would have been unnecessary, but for this race they were necessary and my legs were toast.

Cyclocross in Colorado

To be honest my biggest reason for nerves going into the race was the people, or lack there of knowing the people. Cyclocross is about the community to me. Shelling out and racing for 45 minutes is just the icing on the cake. Driving to races in the heat, cold, snow and rain is my own version of being a fan of football. Instead of being crowded around a TV or a grill at a tailgate, I’m at a cyclocross race surrounded by some of the best people I could ask for. This to me is cyclocross and I could only hope that Colorado would deliver like Maryland and North Carolina have.

Most of my teammates of Team Cycleton don’t start racing until October, so there isn’t that instant family to find when showing up in the morning but there was faces that I recognized and was greeted with warm smiles. There was the chatter before the whistle at the line and friendly talks in the parking lot with faces you don’t recognize but saw you racing and find the light in the wreckage of your failed race.

Results are in the Smiles and Miles

The race was hot, dusty and a bit shattering for me. I was happy with last place in SW3, which would have been top 10 in the SW4. I am happy that I didn’t submit a downgrade request when moving and I’m happy I showed up to race. One more step closer to making Colorado my home and to create the community I miss so badly from North Carolina.

Thank You’s

I need to thank the handful of fast dudes from Boulder Cycle Sport that were all super friendly and eased my nerves when the talked it up in the parking lot at 8am.

Thank you to Megan Hottman of The Cyclist – Lawyer as she encouraged me when passing (after flatting, getting fixed and catching me)

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/09/a-cyclocross-race-for-last-place/feed/17Race Report: 2013 6 Hours of Warrior Creekhttp://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/04/race-report-2013-6-hours-of-warrior-creek/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/04/race-report-2013-6-hours-of-warrior-creek/#commentsSat, 13 Apr 2013 11:28:30 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=10811This was the fourth year of testing my metal against the 6 Hours of Warrior Creek. Each year as half of a women’s duo, my partner Melissa has always been the ringer for us and I wanted to be able to pull my half of the race as strong as she could.

Originally, this race was supposed to be a tuning race for the Burn 24 in late May. As plans have changed, boxes are being packed and I realized this would be my last race in the southeast it became clear that this race mattered more to me than I originally thought.

Prep Work

I pre-rode the course a week before race day. The course was excellent. The rock gardens were much easier and the climbs seemed to pass with less time. All good signs.

Aligning with my coach on all workouts, making sure my legs were rested and “loaded.” Bike was safety checked and then as it rained a few days before race day, I installed my more aggressive Maxxis Ardent tires (which saved my ass first lap.)

Brap, BRAP, BRAAAP

It was my year to run first lap, which is a full lap plus some road section and singletrack in the beginning to break up the field. I did my best not to blow myself up on the road, and keep a steady pace for 3/4 of the lap. Putting in some effort on the last sections of climbing and downhill gnar rock gardens.

My partner, Melissa, was rocking a single speed and turned over a pretty fast first lap. I headed back on the trail hoping to maintain our 2nd place position. Quickly 3rd place overtook me and I never saw her until my lap was over (damn it, she was only 2 minutes a head!) Melissa held our 3rd position and we ended on the podium. I coulda/shoulda/woulda gone for a 3rd lap (5th for the team) but 2nd,4th and 5th place girls (and I) all agreed not to go out for a 5th lap. Thank god for negotiations.

Fun Facts

• Melissa rocked a 1:16 lap on her single speed

• We were in the “money” in 3rd place and somehow I walked away with cash in hand

• The Foundry Broadaxe with SRAM XX1 performed flawlessly, compared to last year this was an AMAZING feeling as most of the day I was fearing some mechanical that I couldn’t fix with my multi

• First place women were 16 and 17 years old! Hopefully I’ll be able to rope one of the girls, Sophie, into a race report!

• Warrior Creek is one of my favorite trails on the east coast. The Garmin has a hard time tracking milage but Strava thinks that I rode 26.7 miles with 2,752 ft of elevation.

Thank You to the Pit Crew

The day wouldn’t have been possible without a group of amazing friends. My girlfriend flew literally around the world from Turkey to get to the race. Shelley, Syd and Allen all were great support as Melissa and I came in and out of the pits. The guys from Bicycle Sportwere there for mechanic assistance (though I didn’t need it) and the guys/girls from Total Cyclist had amazing encouraging words as they kicked our asses. Finally, thank you to Taryn and Jacob who watched the dogs for us so they didn’t have to be at the races all day!

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/04/race-report-2013-6-hours-of-warrior-creek/feed/0Race Report: Bouldergeist at San Lee Parkhttp://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/03/race-report-bouldergeist-at-san-lee-park/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/03/race-report-bouldergeist-at-san-lee-park/#commentsWed, 20 Mar 2013 13:34:53 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=10672My main goal for the 2013 season was to move from Sport to the Expert class. That was THE goal.

Thanks to a killer performance at the Winter Short Track Series I was moved up to Expert or CAT1. If you aren’t familiar with the difference of the two categories, it often is double the distance and sometimes on a different/harder course. Racing 22 miles on a rough, rocky, course was a bit humbling.

My first true race as an expert was at this past Sunday’s Bouldergeist at San Lee Park as part of Southern Classic Series.

The Race

Starting at the line there was 6 of us split between the two age groups, all I need to do was finish and I would be third. The start was on pavement, up a driveway climb and then left over gravel into the woods. The climb felt great on my legs, and entering the woods I slowed down to let some of the faster girls in front of me. It was a great feeling to have the hole shot, but I knew I would be in peoples way.

The course was pretty fast with nice twists, switch back climbs and some “rock” sections that with a proper pre-ride I would be able to clear easier. There was one section that only the Pros and Experts had to ride called Free Fall. I believe I walked 1.5 miles through this rock invested “trail.” Again, maybe with proper pre-ride and guidance I could have ridden more of this section, but it made me feel like a beginner all over again.

After the long walk through woods and over the rocks I was pretty mentally fried. It seemed like I was getting dehydrated and pretty disappointed. After that first lap I was done. There was an 8 hour drive infront of me and the idea of another 1.5 hours on the bike was not exciting.

The Aftermath

Thankfully I have a very supportive group around me. Constantly over the past 2 days I have been reminded that I made a big jump with my categories. It will take time to be able to hang, and then to be competitive. As an athlete this sounds bogus to me, but then I slow down and think of what I would tell someone else. They are right, I need a reality check and time towing the line. It will take time, I need to be patient and put more time on the saddle.

I don’t have another race until 6 Hours of Warrior Creek, here’s to as many long rides as I can fit in!

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/03/race-report-bouldergeist-at-san-lee-park/feed/1Race Report: Winter Short Track #4http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/02/race-report-winter-short-track-4/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/02/race-report-winter-short-track-4/#commentsSat, 16 Feb 2013 18:10:22 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=10481A race report that was almost forgotten, as I’m typing this 6 days later in the Philadelphia airport during a layover.

My last race of the Charlotte Winter Short Track Series had a handful of ups and downs. As I was only able to race 4 out of 5 races my placing of this last race would be a wash. Going into a race lacking motivation is difficult for me, so 20 minutes to start time I did some soul searching and finding that mission. Mission: fun, hard pace and working to help a couple key friends on their short track virginity.

This is going to be kept short and sweet.

2nd lap I found myself sitting comfortable in 2nd place. Pushing it hard. Working with a friend Jordan on the road section. Around lap 4 or 5 I decided to slow the hell down. My morning routine was off, and my stomach was feeling questionable. Letting my heart rate drop a zone made me drop two places. Sitting in 4th behind Patty Smith. I coasted along, catching breath and finding comfort in my tempo zone. Two laps to go I knew I needed to either find peace with my 4th place finish or attack.

Of course, I attacked. Put room between Patty and myself, I had 3rd locked in place. Trying to bridge the gap between 2nd place (Jordan) and myself, I pushed hard but needed another lap to make up the time I had lost. Losing 2nd place by 10 seconds was bitter but I learned a bit about myself, comfort zones and the punch that my legs have in these early pre-season races.

One last bitter sadness is that I am currently tied for 1st overall with Patty. If I was to race this weekend and beat her, I would have first in the expert category. Unfortunately I am sitting in PA on the way to MN, far away from the race course. I can say I ended the series much better than I ever expected. My goals were to hang on and not get lapped, in the end I was the one doing the lapping.

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/02/race-report-winter-short-track-4/feed/0Race Report: Winter Short Track #3http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-winter-short-track-2-2/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-winter-short-track-2-2/#commentsTue, 29 Jan 2013 17:01:27 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=10363Could I keep consistent lap times? Could I make the podium? How did my skinsuit do under mountain bike conditions?

Let’s Cut to the Conclusion

Mission, possible. 2nd place, behind a super strong (pro) Debbie, and in front of a damn good field.

I’m not going to give you play by play but here are cliff notes.

Went into the woods on first lap 3/4 behind the field. I simply didn’t have the gearing to power through the start which sucks as I’m normally good at stopped starts.

Through the woods, on the brakes, riding someone’s tire, over the rock and on the gravel. Picking off girls, calling my passes and not knowing how this was happening. I was “picking girls off”???? For a few laps I tried to work with Patty Smith. She’s fast in the short track, I could help her on the gravel and road but in the end I was giving up too much time on the road not pushing hard enough. Around lap 4 I put a gap between us, holding it steady (losing 5 seconds or so on the last last lap.) I could see Debbie through the trees, but the guys winner ended up between us, ending my last lap a lap down from her. I wish I knew the time gap better before that extra lap she did.

Hard Work Means Harder Work Ahead

Yes, I am super proud of my accomplishments in a short amount of time. It is two days after the race and I still don’t believe I placed 2nd as my goals of this series was to not get lapped.

My goals are still lofty, but feel a little closer after this past weeks performance.

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-winter-short-track-2-2/feed/2Race Report: Winter Short Track #2http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-winter-short-track-2/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-winter-short-track-2/#commentsTue, 22 Jan 2013 17:38:22 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=10277Lesbi-honest.…going into this race I was super pumped but had pretty realistic expectations. My legs would be loaded and weighed down from the previous day’s threshold test, plus I had a 3 hour mountain bike ride planned for Monday. I wanted to do well, but these Short Track races aren’t goals, they are pieces of a bigger puzzle!

Pre-Race Warm Up & Getting Jacked Up

This past weekend I honed in on a Pre-Race routine. Food, music choices and even received a few really stellar songs for my playlist from Facebook friends. I timed my ride to the race a bit closer, getting there around 1:15pm. I still ended up standing around for close to 45 minutes, so I’ll need to plan on being there even later next week. The 30 minute spin to the course is perfect, utilizing a couple spin up and short sprints right before the race line up.

A few key players including Bonnie and Elsa showed up, they hadn’t been there the week previous and replaced a couple girls that kicked my arse (Jane & Sarah.) It would be interesting to see what Bonnie did to the field and how I could respond.

Go Time, BRAAAPPP

I couldn’t get clipped in off the bat, but I still settled in 3rd going into the woods. I was happy, didn’t want to push it and needed to settle into a nice rhythm as we ticked off the laps. Finding my home between Jodi and Layla, I was putting time between Jodi (behind me) and trying to stay within a few seconds of Layla’s wheel. Going into the last lap I knew if I wanted 3rd I needed to make a move. Looking at my heart rate sitting at 185, I hadn’t hit my ceiling but my legs were. My quads simply did not have the snap left in them to attack that last lap full gas. Realizing no one was behind me, I slowed down a tick so that I would still have legs under me to get me home.

Where’s Your Head At?

Several people have commented that I should have attacked the last lap, and I agree to a point. These races are part of an interval training and part of a bigger, endurance, plan. Wrecking my legs for one place, while glorious, if it means I can’t ride the next day… is pointless. Sometimes you have to lose a pawn in the long term plan of check mate.

To the 5 or 6 friends that purposely got in their car to simply be there on the side of the trail, I am super grateful and humble.

Saturday was a beautiful day in Atlanta, one of those occasional Southern winter days when it feels like spring–the opposite of what cyclocross weather should be. Other parts of the country have muddy, sloppy, cold cyclocross races. In Georgia, the weather always seems to provide us with boring, but beautiful race days. This pattern held true for Saturday’s 4th Annual AlleyCross race. It was 70 degrees and sunny, the kind of weather that’s perfectly suited for looking cute while riding your city commuter, but not so much for cyclocross. Luckily the 2 days before the race had been pretty rainy, so the course was sufficiently sloppy, even if the weather was behaving itself.

The event started with mandatory parade lap to familiarize everyone with the route. That turned out to be fortunate, because it took the better part of an hour to complete (8.5 mile route…so slow) and included a couple wrecks. Parade laps are not usually that eventful. However, the extra time also gave us spectators plenty of opportunity to find a good spot for photos and get a head start on beer drinking. When the racers returned from the parade lap, they left their bikes at the mouth of an alley and were sent down a gravel hill for a Le Mans start.

The race consisted of two laps along the 8.5 mile race course, and it started and ended at Loose Nuts Cycles. The route sent cyclists through city parks, gravel and cobblestone alleys, grass run-ups, the relatively new Atlanta Beltline, and regular city streets. There were several notable obstacles/stops along the way:

The cobblestone alley—I’ve ridden and run up and down this hill. It’s steep and cobblestone-y, and there’s no visibility to check for cars at the bottom of the alley. One Saturday, it was also extra slippery from the previous days’ rain. It’s no joke.

The whiskey stop—Down an alley in Grant Park, the racers had a choice: 1. Take a whiskey shot and be on your way; 2. Shoulder your bike and run through a 30-second pine straw section. I know which choice I would have taken… (whiskey!)

3. Barriers—traditional cyclocross barriers (made out of PVC instead of wood planks
4. The Beltline—a neutral zone for the race. Racers were not allowed to attack in this section. The Beltline is full of children on bicycles, dogs on and off leashes, roller bladers, skateboarders, and a woman who walks her dog while playing violin. Even if it wasn’t against the rules, the Beltline is so crowded on nice days that usually it takes most of a cyclist’s attention to just avoid hitting anyone.

The race brought out a great mix of people–serious cyclocross racers, cyclists who have never raced before, and everyone in between. The 49 race entrants (including 6 women) showed up in everything from full race kits to jeans and tshirts. The spectators were just as diverse–Grant Park and Inman Park residents, other cyclists, friends of cyclists, and future cyclists.

The race went smoothly for the most part, with relatively little drama (only one emergency room visit). There were comments from experienced riders and new racers alike about how challenging the course was. It was a well-designed course that really pushed everyone. Even cyclists who just rode the parade route commented on how much effort the route required. Race organizer, Dustin Morado said, “After organizing most of the city races in Atlanta for the last year and a half it was so rewarding to see so many people come out to really push themselves, go fast, and get competitive.”

At the end of the 2 laps, Gary Gomez (male winner), Elizabeth Lee (female winner) and Tim Barrett (single speed winner) beat out everyone else to earn the $40 payout for first place. (Second and third places earned $30 and $10 respectively in all categories.) Their success was celebrated by everyone by emptying a keg’s worth of Fat Tire beer cans (Thanks Chip!) and then floating another keg in addition. Needless to say, at the end of the day, lots of bicycle fun was had and everyone needed a beer recovery nap.

Luckily we don’t have to wait too long for another great event like this. Here are the next race events from the two race organizers.:

Photo credit to Wil Hughes. Thanks to Dustin of NHLB for providing me with some extra details about the race.

]]>http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-atlanta-alleycross/feed/2Race Report: Winter Short Track #1http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-winter-short-track-1/
http://bikeshopgirl.com/2013/01/race-report-winter-short-track-1/#commentsMon, 14 Jan 2013 13:08:33 +0000http://bikeshopgirl.com/?p=10167Going into the first race of the Charlotte Winter Short Track series I was nervous and unsure. How shell’ed off the back would I get? Would I clog up the berms for the fast single speed boys that needed to blow past me?

The morning routine was off. I’m not used to racing in the afternoons, so I was up and “Ready” about 3 hours earlier than I needed to be. The plan was to ride to the course around 12:15, race time at 1:50. Next week I plan on making it a lot closer as there was a lot of sitting around and getting nervous.

BRAAAPPPP, Race Time

Lining up among 9 other pretty fast women I knew I could hold a strong line in the trail, but half of a lap is on a gravel road or asphalt parking lot. At the moment of go I settled in quickly. My starts from cyclocross paid off , though I could have easily been 2-3 in to the woods and I was comfortably seated behind fast girl, Sarah Matchett, in maybe 5-6th position. I was faster in the woods, she was faster on the straights. 9 laps, Sarah left me in her dust after the first lap. I settled into my heart rate, trying not to spew Perpetuam all over as it was 70 or so degrees. My body wasn’t used to zone 4/5 in these temperatures!!

Slowly I was picking girls off. My lap times were pretty consistent, but not as consistent as I would like. A goal for the series is to find my “pace” so that my lap times get faster, not slower, as we tick them off. I found myself in 4th with two girls within eye sight behind me. Going through the finish line with “Two laps to go!” I was trying to hit a hard effort through the parking lot and look across to the finish line to see the two girls being lapped by the finisher of single speed. I still had a lap to go, but does that mean they are done? Do I just need to stay up right?? With a fear of them working together and chasing after me I kept going. Not full effort, but pretty hard.

Improvement is Motivation

Pulling through the finish in 4th out of 10 pretty fast women I feel ecstatic with my results, along with knowing internally I’ve only been training “consistently” since Thanksgiving time. I’m sure these girls aren’t on their top game, but it feels pretty good to be in front of girls that have normally lapped me in the past! I realize it isn’t a true Expert field or length, but my goals of being able to CAT up this year to Expert seem a bit more obtainable!

Amazing motivation to continue to hit training hard, listen to my coach and make healthy decisions. I can say this is my best start of a racing season ever and the most overwhelmed feeling of encouragement and motivation from my friends.